Episode Summary: Behind the Bastards – It Could Happen Here Weekly 186

Release Date: June 14, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 186 of "It Could Happen Here," hosted by Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts, the conversation delves deep into the tumultuous situation surrounding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The episode features an insightful discussion with documentary filmmaker and activist Charles McBride, who provides firsthand accounts of his experiences in the West Bank and Gaza.

The Plight of UNRWA and Palestinian Refugees

[03:11] Lester Holt: "Hello everyone, and welcome to the podcast. It's me, James Today, and I'm joined by my friend and yours, Charles McBride..."

Charles McBride recounts his two trips to the West Bank over the past year, noting a significant deterioration in conditions between August of last year and May of this year. He highlights the largest ground operation launched by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) since the Second Intifada, targeting refugee camps such as Tokarim, Nurshams, and Jenin.

[05:08] Charles McBride: "We couldn't even get to those places, not with the UNRWA personnel that we were supposed to go with our documentaries on UNRWA..."

He explains the pivotal role of UNRWA in maintaining the livelihoods of 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees across the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan. Initially established as a temporary relief organization following the 1948 Nakba, UNRWA's mandate was perpetually extended due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The War on UNRWA

Charles delves into the multifaceted challenges facing UNRWA, emphasizing Israel's persistent efforts to delegitimize and dismantle the agency. He discusses the emergence of the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), a public-private partnership intended to bypass and replace UNRWA's infrastructure. However, GHF's operations have been marred by violence and inefficiency, leading to tragic incidents such as the deaths of 27 Palestinians during aid distributions.

[10:19] Charles McBride: "Why did it go from something that was set up as a temporary relief organization to, to 77 years later, it is responsible for maintaining the livelihood and well-being of 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees?"

He underscores the irony of UNRWA's enduring presence, originally intended to be temporary, now being indispensable due to the stalled peace process. The continuous extension of UNRWA's mandate reflects the unresolved nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israeli Policies and International Complicity

The discussion shifts to Israeli societal shifts, where ethnically cleansing Gaza has transitioned from fringe rhetoric to mainstream discourse. Charles cites a poll indicating that 84% of Israelis favor displacing the entire Gaza population—a startling revelation that illustrates the depth of dehumanization against Palestinians.

[12:04] Charles McBride: "UNRWA is probably higher than in the Palestinian Authority. The PA is largely seen as a contractor subcontractor for Israel."

He critiques the international community, particularly the United States, for its inadequate response to Israeli aggression. The lack of political will to halt aid restrictions to Gaza is portrayed as a deliberate move to entrench the humanitarian crisis.

[22:05] Charles McBride: "Every time they're asked about this they go back to, well, we want to get aid to people of Gaza. Unfortunately, Hamas keeps stealing the aid and so we can't allow it."

However, Charles challenges this narrative by pointing out the absence of concrete evidence supporting claims of widespread aid diversion by Hamas. He argues that the real impediment to humanitarian aid is political, not logistical.

Implications for the Future

As UNRWA grapples with budget cuts and operational restrictions, the Palestinian population faces increasing hardships. The dissolution of UNRWA would not only exacerbate the suffering of millions but also empower extremist factions, further destabilizing the region.

[23:26] Charles McBride: "We have enough aid and even aid in the region to feed all those people right now if we needed to."

He calls for urgent state action to halt Israeli aid restrictions, emphasizing that sustained humanitarian efforts could mitigate the ongoing crisis. The episode reinforces the notion that without significant political intervention, the humanitarian situation in Palestine will continue to deteriorate.

Notable Quotes

• Charles McBride [05:08]: "We couldn't even get to those places, not with the UNRWA personnel that we were supposed to go with our documentaries on UNRWA..."

• Charles McBride [10:19]: "Why did it go from something that was set up as a temporary relief organization to, to 77 years later, it is responsible for maintaining the livelihood and well-being of 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees?"

• Charles McBride [12:04]: "UNRWA is probably higher than in the Palestinian Authority. The PA is largely seen as a contractor subcontractor for Israel."

• Charles McBride [22:05]: "Every time they're asked about this they go back to, well, we want to get aid to people of Gaza. Unfortunately, Hamas keeps stealing the aid and so we can't allow it."

• Charles McBride [23:26]: "We have enough aid and even aid in the region to feed all those people right now if we needed to."

Conclusion

Episode 186 provides a sobering examination of the challenges facing UNRWA and the broader Palestinian refugee community. Through Charles McBride's firsthand experiences and expert analysis, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the humanitarian crisis perpetuated by political inaction and systemic oppression. The episode underscores the urgent need for international solidarity and decisive action to address the plight of millions of displaced Palestinians.

For those interested in delving deeper into the subjects discussed, Charles McBride can be followed on social media platforms such as Instagram, Substack, TikTok, and YouTube under his personal account.